Boston, Sacramento, Orlando and Philly all made big moves for the tank. We didn't. Because of that, we will be picking 10-16 for the next ten years.
We had better hope one of the GS picks is a home run...again.
So what move would you have made?
Philadelphia: I'll concede that one. Congrats to Philly for pinning all their hopes on Nerlens Noel, this year's picks and a bunch of second-rounders. They're all in on a big gamble. Do they become OKC or flounder like so many teams (Kings, Cavs, etc) who get high picks every year but never seem to improve much?
Sacramento: I wouldn't call trading for Gay earlier this season and then moving Thornton (to clear PT for McLemore) a big tank move for Sacramento. They're bad every season...no matter what they do.
Boston: traded away their big three before the season. Ok, fantastic. Let's get rid of Favors, Burke and Hayward for trash. Then overpay a couple of FA's to add to a top-3 pick. Definite championship.
Orlando: Only significant roster change from last year was losing Redick and gaining Oladipo. Tanking? Definitely. On purpose? Well, they've been bad for quite some time.
Utah: Umm, lets see...Millsap, Mo Williams, Al Jefferson, Randy Foye. Four of their top-5 scorers from last season. GONE! DeMarre Carroll. Decent bench player, part-time starter. Gone!
Added: T. Burke, Gobert (draft) Added: Garrett, Clark, Thomas (FA's). Added: R. Jefferson, A. Biedrins, B. Rush (trade for two firsts and two seconds).
I'd say the Jazz did far more to tank than a lot of teams. Unfortunately Favors, Burks, Burke and even Kanter and Hayward have just been too good. I'm really, really sorry that Alec and Trey weren't total busts. Had they been, maybe the Jazz would have been as bad as Milwaukee, Philly and Orlando.